China has denounced Vietnam’s construction on “illegally occupied” islands and reefs in the South China Sea.

Radio Free Asia reported that China protested Vietnam’s recent actions in the Spratly archipelago.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Nansha Qundao Islands are an inalienable territory of China, referring to a group of islands and reefs known internationally as the Spratlys.

Hanoi is building a 3,000-meter runway on one of the islands.

A Chinese spokesman said that China has always opposed construction work by the countries concerned on “illegally occupied” islands and reefs.

According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the reef is actually a rock, and Vietnam took possession of it in 1987.

Since 2021, the reef has been developing rapidly: the total area of reclaimed land has more than doubled in one year, and as of October 2024, it is almost 250 hectares.

The South China Sea (SCS) is important in terms of economic resources, as it is a region with large oil and natural gas reserves and is also rich in fisheries.

In addition, some of the world’s most important sea routes pass through this sea.

The South China Sea is home to the Spratly and Paracel archipelagos, which include islets and reefs.

The islands are of significant economic importance, as 10% of the world’s fishing is carried out here. The South China Sea basin ranks fourth in the list of the world’s largest fishing areas.

Last December, Chinese coast guard ships in the South China Sea used water cannons against Philippine vessels.